Battle Creek Bible Class.—July 4, 1868.
By W. C. G.
Verse 1. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Q. What does the word “therefore” indicate? A. A conclusion drawn from what precedes it. Q. What is the fact from which the apostle draws this conclusion? A. That God has spoken to us by his Son. Q. What “things” are referred to? A. The truths of the gospel, with which they had been made acquainted. Q. What is meant by letting them slip? A. The original signifies, as indicated by the margin, to “run out as leaking vessels.” As the contents of a leaky vessel escape drop by drop, almost imperceptibly, so the truth may be suffered to escape from our minds by imperceptible degrees, until, before we are aware of it, our hold upon it is entirely lost. Verses 2, 3. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. Q. What is meant by the “word spoken by angels?” A. Probably reference is made to the fact that the law was given by the ministry of angels; and that angels were often the instruments of communication with God’s chosen people. Q. What salvation is here alluded to? A. That provided by the gospel. Great, because of the greatness of the sacrifice, the amplitude of its provisions, and the great amount of light diffused by its being “spoken by the Lord,” and “confirmed by them that heard him.” Q. How was it confirmed by them that heard him? A. The apostles, by their preaching, bore testimony to the truths first announced by the Saviour, and thus confirmed it. Verse 4. God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will. Q. What signs and wonders are here alluded to? A. The supernatural manifestations of God’s Spirit, which accompanied the preaching of the apostles. Q. What “gifts” are here meant? A. Probably the same as are referred to in 1 Cor. xii. Verse 5. For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. Q. What is meant by “the world to come?” A. The earth made new, or Paradise restored. Verses 6, 7. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands. Q. From what is this quotation taken? Q. What is meant by the term man? A. The human race; or perhaps Adam, standing as a representative of the race. Q. How was he crowned with glory and honor? A. By being made the lord of the earth, and having dominion over all other creatures. Verse 8. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet; for in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. Q. What is meant by the last clause of this verse? A. The apostle evidently alludes to the loss by the fall. Although all things were in the beginning placed in subjection to man, yet “now we see not yet all things put under him.” Verse 9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Q. How was Jesus made a little lower than the angels? A. By taking upon himself the nature of man. Q. In what sense did he taste death for every man? A. He died for all. The provision is complete, and all may be saved by accepting the plan. Verse 10. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Q. Who is meant by “him?” A. Probably God, the Father; he who brings “many sons unto glory.” Q. How was Christ made perfect through sufferings? A. Not that he was, of himself, an imperfect being, but by sufferings he became a perfect Saviour, and a perfect high priest, in that by experiencing the temptations of the flesh, “he is able to succor those that are tempted.” Verses 11, 12. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Q. In what sense are the sanctifier and sanctified all of one? A. They are all members of one body, and heirs together of the same benefits and blessings. Q. Where is this quotation found? Q. Why does the apostle so frequently quote from the Psalms? A. The Jews acknowledged them as their Scriptures, and believed that these texts applied to the Messiah, when he should appear. The object in quoting them was to show that he had appeared. Verse 13. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children which God hath given me. Q. What was the object of the first quotation? A. To show that Christ ranks himself with his followers, by occupying the position which they should ever be in, i. e., putting their trust in God. Verses 14, 15. Forasmuch, then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Q. What is meant by the destruction of the Devil? A. The defeat of his plans, by the deliverance of the righteous, and his final destruction, when the plan of salvation shall be consummated. Q. In what sense are those delivered who were subject to bondage? A. Delivered from their fears, by the hope of immortality brought to light through the gospel. Verse 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Q. What is meant by the seed of Abraham? A. The nature of man; and in another sense, the lineage of Abraham, thus fulfilling the promise to Abraham and his seed. Verses 17, 18. Wherefore, in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. Q. Why was it necessary for him to be “made like unto his brethren?” A. That he might better understand their natures, their trials and weaknesses, and thus be indeed both a “merciful and faithful high priest.” W. C. G.